Supplements?

[Flower Fairy]

Hi all, I just had a bone scan it showed osteopenia. Probably from years of not absorbing since I only found out few years ago I have celiac. I am 50.

I am not good at taking lots of different multiple vitamins so can someone help guide me into what I should be taking. ( most needed supplements) I'm scared to take lots of calcium since I get kidney stones.  Thank you

[RMJ]

You definitely will need vitamin D.  Have you ever had your vitamin D levels checked?  

[Flower Fairy]

15 hours ago, RMJ said:

You definitely will need vitamin D.  Have you ever had your vitamin D levels checked?  

Yes my levels were low. I will add that but it seems like most Celiacs take soooo many vitamins and supplements and I'm just not good with taking a large amount

 

21 hours ago, Flower Fairy said:

Hi all, I just had a bone scan it showed osteopenia. Probably from years of not absorbing since I only found out few years ago I have celiac. I am 50.

I am not good at taking lots of different multiple vitamins so can someone help guide me into what I should be taking. ( most needed supplements) I'm scared to take lots of calcium since I get kidney stones.  Thank you

 

[knitty kitty]

Welcome, @Flower Fairy,

We recommend a good B Complex, Vitamin D and magnesium glycinate.  

Eat green vegetables like kale, broccoli, and mustard greens for calcium.  Avoid spinach if you're a stone former! 

You need magnesium, the eight essential B vitamins and Vitamin D to get calcium into your bones and prevent more from coming out.  

[Flower Fairy]

1 hour ago, knitty kitty said:

Welcome, @Flower Fairy,

We recommend a good B Complex, Vitamin D and magnesium glycinate.  

Eat green vegetables like kale, broccoli, and mustard greens for calcium.  Avoid spinach if you're a stone former! 

You need magnesium, the eight essential B vitamins and Vitamin D to get calcium into your bones and prevent more from coming out.  

thank you for the info. It is very helpful. It is confusing the amount of vitamins out there so this will help me.

23 hours ago, RMJ said:

You definitely will need vitamin D.  Have you ever had your vitamin D levels checked?  

Yes my levels were low. I will add that but it seems like most Celiacs take soooo many vitamins and supplements and I'm just not good with taking a large amount

 

[RMJ]

I’m not sure what you mean by “I’m just not good with taking a large amount.” Do you have trouble swallowing the vitamin pills? (I do).  If so, for vitamin D you could take a higher dose less often.

Vitamin D is the only supplement I take. I take it because I have osteoporosis.

[Flower Fairy]

18 hours ago, RMJ said:

I’m not sure what you mean by “I’m just not good with taking a large amount.” Do you have trouble swallowing the vitamin pills? (I do).  If so, for vitamin D you could take a higher dose less often.

Vitamin D is the only supplement I take. I take it because I have osteoporosis.

Yes I have a hard time swallowing pills. 

[RMJ]

14 minutes ago, Flower Fairy said:

Yes I have a hard time swallowing pills. 

I do too.  The first time my mother gave me a vitamin pill I tried and tried to swallow it until all the coating had dissolved and the inside tasted really terrible!

I usually take pills in a mouthful of food.  Chew food until ready to swallow, then pop pill into my mouth and swallow with the food.

I have a pill for osteoporosis (alendronate) that has to be taken on an empty stomach.  I discovered that if I drink water from a bottle with my head tilted back the pill goes down pretty easily.

Some vitamins are needed by pill or in the diet every day because they are water soluble and the body quickly excretes any excess.  Vitamin D is fat soluble so can be taken less often, for example, 10,000 units once a week instead of 1,000 units every day.  I don’t know how big the 10,000 unit pills are though.

I find the elongated shape of capsules and caplets easier to swallow than round tablets.

Perhaps children’s chewable vitamins?

 

[Flower Fairy]

On 7/2/2023 at 1:54 PM, RMJ said:

I do too.  The first time my mother gave me a vitamin pill I tried and tried to swallow it until all the coating had dissolved and the inside tasted really terrible!

I usually take pills in a mouthful of food.  Chew food until ready to swallow, then pop pill into my mouth and swallow with the food.

I have a pill for osteoporosis (alendronate) that has to be taken on an empty stomach.  I discovered that if I drink water from a bottle with my head tilted back the pill goes down pretty easily.

Some vitamins are needed by pill or in the diet every day because they are water soluble and the body quickly excretes any excess.  Vitamin D is fat soluble so can be taken less often, for example, 10,000 units once a week instead of 1,000 units every day.  I don’t know how big the 10,000 unit pills are though.

I find the elongated shape of capsules and caplets easier to swallow than round tablets.

Perhaps children’s chewable vitamins?

 

That is a great idea. I have tried the gummy vitamins also but alot have so much sugar in them also. I have been makinb smoothies with kale and other vitamin and fiber powder. I was surprised that my vitamin D was so low when I got my blood test done. I am going to take vitamin D check on children vitamins and hope this will help. 

[Kurlykaitlyn]

On 6/30/2023 at 10:59 AM, Flower Fairy said:

Hi all, I just had a bone scan it showed osteopenia. Probably from years of not absorbing since I only found out few years ago I have celiac. I am 50.

I am not good at taking lots of different multiple vitamins so can someone help guide me into what I should be taking. ( most needed supplements) I'm scared to take lots of calcium since I get kidney stones.  Thank you

Hello flower fairy, 

sorry to hear about your results. 
I’ve had deficiencies in vitamin D and iron, so I can only speak for these supplements I’ve taken. Vitamin D is offered in supplemental sprays. I’ve used a couple different brands and currently use an olive oil based one by Mary Ruth’s. I like it as it’s easy to take and doesn’t cause uncomfortable side effects, for me. 
Iron supplements have been more difficult for me personally. However, I have ferrets ferrous fumarate, which is said to be easy on the stomach and other celiacs have recommended them. Always ask your doctor, but I found for myself taking them M, W, F was easier than everyday. And my doctor recommended cutting them in half and having one in the morning and one in the evening which he says has made them more tolerable for many patients. This has worked for me. Also, I keep my levels healthy by regularly incorporating iron rich foods into my diet. I add spirulina and spinach to daily smoothies. Every few days I have a spoon of black strap molasses. I recommend researching the various iron rich foods and choose a couple to regularly include in your diet, on top of supplementing until you’re back in a healthy range. Also, if you’re low on B12, you can occasionally enjoy nutritional yeast in your dishes. It’s fortified with B vitamins and taste yummy on rice, veggies, and pastas. I’ve always been able to keep a healthy range of B12 so it works for me! 

Best wishes to you finding quality supplements and for good health. 🙏 

 

[Beverage]

I have osteopenia also had a really hard time swallowing pills. I find capsules, rather than hard tablets, much easier. Capsules also don't have binders and in general are better absorbed. I take procapslabs.com and no digestive upset like I used to get. 

I have also read articles by Dr Jonathan Wright, a well known naturopathic doc here around Seattle. He recommends Strontium. You can search on his name + osteopenia or osteoporosis or Strontium and find articles. 

I've been trying the Strontium for about 6 months and do notice my right hip, which was the worst spot in my scan, not aching anymore.

[Flower Fairy]

Thank you for your reply,  I will definitely look into strontium. I am glad it helped you with your hip pain. 

[Taradaktull]

On 6/30/2023 at 11:59 AM, Flower Fairy said:

Hi all, I just had a bone scan it showed osteopenia. Probably from years of not absorbing since I only found out few years ago I have celiac. I am 50.

I am not good at taking lots of different multiple vitamins so can someone help guide me into what I should be taking. ( most needed supplements) I'm scared to take lots of calcium since I get kidney stones.  Thank you

I just found out I am celiac six months ago and then discovered I have osteopenia. I had my doctor test a range of vitamins and minerals to help figure out what to take. I am also working with a nutritionist. Everyone is going to have their own supplement needs, but Vitamin D and Magnesium are pretty typical. Also, eat foods with calcium like white beans and certain types to tofu. Good luck!

[Flower Fairy]

On 7/12/2023 at 5:11 PM, Taradaktull said:

I just found out I am celiac six months ago and then discovered I have osteopenia. I had my doctor test a range of vitamins and minerals to help figure out what to take. I am also working with a nutritionist. Everyone is going to have their own supplement needs, but Vitamin D and Magnesium are pretty typical. Also, eat foods with calcium like white beans and certain types to tofu. Good luck!

It seems like many celiacs I know have osteopenia. I do wonder if it is from not being diagnosed right away. I thank you for your reply. I have also started doing weight bering exercises since I read that helps with bones. I hope you have been feeling better after your diagnosis and being gluten free. I felt so much better right away after going gluten free. I sometimes still have issues with dairy but don't have that often.